MANILA, Philippines—The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has advised motorists of areas to avoid May 1 (Wednesday) in anticipation of Labor Day rallies.
Based on information gathered by the MMDA from the field, Recto, Legarda and the Mendiola area in Manila City have been identified a staging areas, which would be closed to give way to the rallies, said MMDA Assistant General Manager for Operations Emerson S. Carlos.
The rallies are expected to converge from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. at the Welcome Rotonda in Quezon City, the Sta. Mesa Stop and Shop, Quirino and Taft avenues, Blumentritt in Manila City, and the Alabang Petron Station in Muntinlupa.
From the staging areas, the ralliers will proceed to Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
The ralliers will then converge at Mendiola at around 2 to 6pm.
The color-coding scheme will also be lifted on Wednesday, according to the MMDA.
Under the MMDA’s Task Force Labor Day, around 500 of the agency’s personnel will be deployed throughout the metropolis to secure the day’s activities.
Rescue units will also be deployed to Mendiola, Legarda and the Welcome Rotonda.
MMDA personnel will be escorting the ralliers along the roads so that their marches will be faster, according to Carlos, adding that “maximum tolerance” will be observed.
MMDA ambulances will also be on alert along the rally routes.
(Report filed by Alex Austria, Inquirer intern)